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Ever thought of the Primates of Africa, Gorilla Trekking should be your number one priority adventure to Do in the various safari country destinations in Africa. Gorilla trekkingTours can be done in various countries with Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo being the most prominently visited Countries by all travelers interested in watching and encountering the rare species of Mountain Gorillas as well as the Eastern Lowland Gorillas.

Gorilla Trekking Experience

The Gorilla trekking Process is similar throughout all the regions as it requires you to transfer to the park headquarters where you will be briefed on the Dos and Don’ts around these unique primates.

With your valid Gorilla Trekking permit, you will be distributed in groups of 8 then with a skilled ranger guide, you will penetrate the forest to track a certain allocated Gorilla group from one place to another in their natural forest vegetation habitat.

You will follow these for a period of 3-5 Hours and when you meet them, you are allowed to stay in their presence taking photos to keep for memories. After your tracking experience, you will transfer back to the Headquarters where you will be rewarded with a Gorilla Trekking Certificate which you will keep for memories about you Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking Permit

The Gorilla Trekking Permit is a valid document every traveler interested in Gorilla Trekking should have as they go on Gorilla Trekking Tour in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic of Congo. The Cost of these varies from one country to another i.e in Uganda the Permit costs US $600 per person, Rwanda it costs US $1500 per person and in the DR Congo costs US $400 per person.

The Permits can be obtained through contacting the authorized Organizations directly or contacting the Tour Operator Agencies to book these on your behalf.

What to Carry for Gorilla Trekking

Planning to transfer for a Gorilla Trekking Adventure we recommend you carry the essential Gear to enjoy every encounter in the presence of the Gorillas and the Gear includes;

Trekking/ Hiking Boots; you should carry firm rubber trekking/ hiking boots to enable you to transfer along the slippery/ rugged terrain as you track the Gorillas in their thick forest vegetation habitat.

Rain Jacket; you should never forget this for it will protect you from getting wet when it rains for it usually rains anytime around the forest due to its location close to the equator.

Long Sleeved Shirts/T-shirts; these should be long enough to cover your whole arm so as to protect you from being pierced by thorns and trees as you track the Gorillas in their forest habitat.

Long Pants/trousers not jeans; you should carry these to enable you transfer along the grassy trails as you track the Gorillas. These should not be jeans and hard but instead light and smooth.

Woolen Garden Gloves; carry a pair of these to help protect and cover your palms as you transfer through the forest touching the trees and rough vegetation.

Cap/Hat; as you are transferring for Gorilla Trekking, carry your cap/hat to cover and protect your head.

Camera with no flash; carry a camera with no flash to enable you take numerous photos of the Gorillas interacting with each other in their natural forest vegetation.

Sweater for Evenings; carry a sweater to keep you warm throughout the evenings and cold nights.

Bottled water; carry bottled water to break your thirst as you track the Gorillas in their natural forest vegetation habitat.

Snacks; these are also ideal for eating as you track the Gorillas.

Gorilla types that can be tracked

The Gorillas are divided into various types and these vary according to their unique features as well as characteristics. These include;

Mountain Gorillas

Mountain Gorillas are the most prominently tracked type due to their presence in the various forest vegetated areas around numerous African Countries. These are dominant in the dense forest vegetation of Uganda’s Bwindi forest National Park & Mgahinga National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park and DR Congo’s Virunga National Park.

They are led by a dominant Silverback Gorilla, followed by Adult Females then black Backs or young Gorillas then by the juveniles/ infant Gorillas. They are very intelligent with skills like use of various tools as well as communicate using numerous vocal sounds.

These are distributed into varying groups for example in Uganda at Bwindi Forest these are within 4 different sectors.

Sectors

Gorilla Groups

Buhoma Sector

Mubaare Group, Rushegura Group and Habinyanja Group

Rushaga Sector

Mishaya, Nshongi, Busingye, Kahungye, Bweza Groups

Ruhija Sector

Bitukura Group, Oruzongo Group, Kyaguliro Group

Nkuringo Sector

Nkurino Gorilla Group

Mgahinga National Park has one Gorilla Group and that is Nyakagezi Gorilla Group.

Rwanda

Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda can be tracked at the stunning Volcanoes National park located in Ruhengeri District and there are 10 Gorilla Groups that can be tracked here and these include; Susa A Group, Amahoro Group, Sabinyo Group, Group 13, Kwitonda Gorilla Group, Hirwa Group, Umubano Group, Ugenda Group, Bwenge Group, Titus Group.

Democratic Republic of Congo

In the DR Congo, these can be tracked in Virunga National Park and there are 7 different Groups i. e Rugendo Group, Munyaga Group, Mapuwa group, Kabirizi Group, Bageni Group, Lulengo Group, Nyakamwe Group.

Eastern Lowland Gorillas

The Eastern lowland Gorillas are another Gorilla group that is prominently tracked in the DR Congo at Kahuzi Biega National Park located a few kilometers off the main town of Bukavu. Just like the Mountain Gorillas the trekking process is similar requiring you to transfer through the forest vegetation searching for the Gorillas.

There are 12 different Gorilla Groups that can be tracked in Kahuzi Biega National Park with 4 being habituated to be tracked by numerous travelers from all over the globe. The four include; Mpungwe Group, Chimanuka Group, Bonnani Group and Mugahuka Group.

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About Us

Mountain Elgon National Park is located in the Eastern Part of Uganda with Mountain Elgon which spans across the Uganda and Kenya Border. The Mountain is exceptional to hike offering amazing views and adventures to all kinds of travelers looking to experience the Best Hiking Adventures Tours in Uganda. Consult a Travel Specialist to draft you the Safari Itinerary to hike Mountain Elgon with friends and family.